亮氨酸拉链结构域在 p57 与 actin结合中的重要作用

Actin 结合蛋白 p57 与 actin 之间存在相当复杂的作用机制 . 为深入了解这一机制,利用体外 F-actin 结合共沉淀、细胞内免疫荧光共定位以及免疫印迹和吸光度扫描分析等实验技术,系统地研究了亮氨酸拉链结构域在 p57 与 actin 结合中的作用 . 结果显示,亮氨酸拉链序列区域本身没有 actin 结合活性,但该区域缺失突变以及破坏亮氨酸拉链结构域的点突变都可以显著降低 p57 同 actin 的结合能力 . 同时,体内和体外的半定量分析结果表明,这两种突变导致 p57 同 actin 的结合能力的降低程度十分相近 . 这些结果充分说明亮氨酸拉链结构域在 p57 与 actin 的结合中起到了重要作用 .     

吉祥草活性成分RCE-4抑制宫颈癌Ca Ski细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移的活性及机制研究

本文探讨吉祥草活性单体RCE-4对宫颈癌Ca Ski细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移的影响及机制。采用MTT法和克隆形成实验检测RCE-4对Ca Ski细胞增殖的影响,划痕实验及Transwell小室实验研究RCE-4对Ca Ski细胞的迁移和侵袭的影响,间接免疫荧光实验和Western blot法检测RCE-4对β-catenin和YAP/TAZ蛋白入核转运的影响,采用Western blot法检测RCE-4对Wnt/β-catenin、Hippo/YAP信号路通及下游靶蛋白表达的影响。结果显示,RCE-4可以显著抑制Ca Ski细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭;RCE-4处理后,β-catenin和YAP/TAZ蛋白入核减弱,GSK3β、p-β-catenin、p-YAP、p-LATS1的蛋白表达量增加,PAK4、p-GSK3β、β-catenin、MST1、LATS1、NUAK2、YAP/TAZ、YAP的蛋白表达量减少,下游靶蛋白MMPs、c-Myc、SOX2、CYR61、VCAM-1、ICAM-1的表达被抑制,提示RCE-4体外可能通过对Wnt/β-catenin和Hippo/YAP信号通路的调控发挥其抗Ca Ski细胞侵袭和迁移的作用。     

具有PR／SET结构域的抑癌基因研究进展

含有PR／SET结构域的基因,在多种肿瘤中都可见其缺失,被认为是一个重要的抑癌基因家族,目前发现含有该结构域的基因具有抑癌基因作用,而缺失该结构域的基因具有癌基因的作用,即该基因家族有特殊的“阴阳”作用机制。此外含有PR／SET结构域的基因可以引起细胞G2／M期阻滞和细胞凋亡。在调节细胞生长、限制肿瘤发展方面发挥重要作用。     

lncRNA CCAT2调控SIRT1蛋白表达激活Wnt/β-catenin通路影响非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖和转移

该文旨在分析长链非编码RNA(lncRNA) CCAT2通过调控SIRT1蛋白的表达激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路进而影响非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖和转移的机制。采用qRT-PCR检测肺癌组织及肺癌细胞株中lncRNA CCAT2的表达。利用卡方检验分析lncRNA CCAT2表达与肺癌患者临床病理特征的关系。CCK-8实验、划痕实验及Transwell实验观察敲低lncRNA CCAT2表达对肺癌细胞增殖、迁移及浸润能力的影响。Western blot检测敲低lncRNA CCAT2表达对H1975细胞株中SIRT1蛋白及Wnt/β-catenin信号通路蛋白表达的影响;以及敲低或过表达SIRT1对Wnt/β-catenin信号通路蛋白表达的影响。利用RNA免疫共沉淀(RIP)及RNA pull-down实验验证lncRNA CCAT2与SIRT1之间的相互作用。该研究得出,癌组织及肺癌细胞株中lncRNA CCAT2表达显著较高(P0.05),敲低lncRNA CCAT2表达能够抑制H1975细胞的增殖、迁移及浸润。敲低lncRNA CCAT2表达后,H1975细胞株中SIRT1、β-catenin、Cyclin D1、myc蛋白的表达降低;敲低SIRT1后,细胞核β-catenin蛋白、Cyclin D1、myc蛋白的表达均降低。与非特异性抗体比较,SIRT1抗体呈明显的lncRNA CCAT2富集;lncRNA CCAT2的截短突变组细胞中SIRT1相对表达量明显低于lncRNA CCAT2组。lncRNA CCAT2通过调控SIRT1蛋白表达激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路进而促进肺癌细胞增殖、迁移及浸润,有望成为新的肿瘤标志物。     

池蝶蚌β-连环蛋白基因cDNA的克隆及表达特征分析

为了解淡水贝类性别调控与分化机制, 课题组建立了池蝶蚌(Hyriopsis schlegelii)性腺转录组, 在转录组库中, 存在β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)基因序列。实验对池蝶蚌β-catenin基因进行验证, 采用RACE技术克隆其cDNA全长, 命名为Hsβ-catenin。该序列全长4386 bp, 5′-非编码区为162 bp, 3′-非编码区为1758 bp, 开放阅读框为2466 bp, 编码821个氨基酸; 该蛋白结构域主要由12个ARM重复序列组成; 二级结构中, α-螺旋占47.75%, β-折叠占1.22%, 随机卷曲占51.04%; 三级结构中含大量α-螺旋且为右手超螺旋, 构成ARM结构域; 系统进化树分析表明, Hsβ-catenin与软体动物聚为一支, 然后与昆虫类聚为一支。实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测显示, Hsβ-catenin在肠中表达量最高, 其次是斧足和精巢。Hsβ-catenin基因在12月龄和36月龄表达量较高, 且在36月龄表达量最高, 表明其可能参与池蝶蚌的性别调控与分化作用。     

SP1介导的信号转导通路对恶性肿瘤形成的作用

转录因子SP1为一种序列特异性的DNA结合蛋白,广泛存在组织的细胞核,SP1异常表达与肿瘤发生、发展及预后关系密切。SP1蛋白主要通过TGF-β经典信号通路、ERK信号通路、PI_3K/Akt信号通路、Wnt/β-catenin经典信号通路,调控血管生成相关因子、癌基因、抑癌基因、细胞周期调控分子等转录活性及其表达,促进肿瘤生长、转移、抑制肿瘤细胞凋亡。深入研究SP1及其相关信号通路将有利于进一步了解肿瘤发生及转移的机理,为肿瘤的靶向性基因治疗提供更好的、新的分子干预靶点和途径。     

桑根酮C通过促进β-catenin的泛素化水平抑制胶质母细胞瘤的迁移侵袭能力

胶质母细胞瘤属于浸润性的恶性肿瘤,目前其化疗新药物的寻找和治疗仍待突破。桑根酮C (Sanggenon C, SC)来源于桑白皮,在多种癌症中发挥着抗肿瘤功效。本研究利用显微镜拍摄、transwell实验和免疫荧光实验验证了SC对胶质母细胞瘤的迁移侵袭能力的影响;基因富集、实时荧光定量PCR (real-time qPCR)以及泛素化实验用于阐明SC抑制胶质母细胞瘤迁移侵袭能力的分子机制。显微镜拍摄结果显示,对胶质母细胞瘤进行加药处理后细胞形态明显回缩,细胞迁移侵袭能力被削弱;Transwell实验和免疫荧光实验也验证了SC能抑制胶质母细胞瘤迁移侵袭能力的猜测;基因富集实验结果表明SC可能调控迁移侵袭相关基因的表达,并且影响Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的活性;Western blotting揭示了SC可调控β-catenin的泛素化水平,并且抑制β-catenin及其下游蛋白的表达;Real-time qPCR实验结果在转录水平上佐证Western blotting的结果。SC通过调控β-catenin的泛素化水平抑制胶质母细胞瘤的迁移侵袭能力,为胶质母细胞瘤的治疗提供了新的思路。     

MELK的功能及其在肿瘤研究中的进展

母体胚胎亮氨酸拉链激酶(MELK)是蔗糖非发酵1/AMP活化蛋白激酶(Snf1/AMPK)家族中一个独特成员,是一种周期依赖性激酶。与家族其他成员不同,MELK并不参与代谢应激状态下细胞的生存调控,而更多参与细胞周期、细胞增殖、肿瘤生成和细胞凋亡等过程。MELK在人体多种肿瘤中表达升高,与肿瘤的预后密切相关。MELK在肿瘤干细胞中被异常激活,使肿瘤细胞获得生长、侵袭、迁移等能力,因此,MELK可以作为肿瘤治疗的重要靶点。我们就MELK基因的生物学功能、作用机制及其在肿瘤研究中的进展做简要综述。     

miR-20b-5p在肿瘤及其他疾病中的生物学功能

miRNAs是一类非编码的小RNA分子,在多种疾病的发病和治疗中发挥重要作用,可调控细胞增殖、细胞周期、凋亡和迁移等过程中关键基因的表达。miR-20b-5p属于miR-17家族,在多种肿瘤中和非肿瘤性疾病中存在异常表达。在肿瘤中,miR-20b-5p扮演着癌基因或抑癌基因的角色,可通过调控相应靶分子的表达影响肿瘤细胞的增殖、凋亡、侵袭与迁移等生物学行为,进而促进或抑制肿瘤的发生发展。该文对miR-20b-5p在肿瘤和非肿瘤性疾病中的生物学功能和机制进行简要综述。相信随着对miR-20b-5p的功能和机制的深入阐明,miR-20b-5p有望作为多种疾病的诊治靶点。     

富亮氨酸alpha2 糖蛋白1（LRG1）在肿瘤中的研究进展

富亮氨酸琢2 糖蛋白1(Leucine-rich-alpha-2-glycoprotein1,LRG1）是富亮氨酸重复序列(leucine-rich repeat, LRR)家族蛋白成 员之一。LRG1 在人类多种肿瘤中表达异常,可以作为部分肿瘤早期诊断的潜在生物标记,而且这种异常表达可能提示患者预后 不良。LRG1 在肿瘤的发生、侵袭转移、上皮间质转化和血管生成中发挥重要作用。这些环节中,协同参与调控的辅助因子众多且 有差异,因而经历的信号途径有所不同。本文综合目前的研究进展,旨在阐述LRG1 与肿瘤的关系以及其调控肿瘤发生发展的分 子机制。LRG1 有望成为一种新的肿瘤分子标志物,将为恶性肿瘤的分子诊断及靶向治疗提供新的方向和手段。     

The tumor suppressor LZTS2 functions through the cellular samurai Katanin

The leucine zipper putative tumor suppressor (LZTS) 2 is frequently and specifically found in LOH (loss of heterozygosity) analysis in cancer. Different from other LZTS family members, it regulates the microtubule-severing protein Katanin by binding the p80 regulatory subunit of Katanin and inhibiting its interaction with microtubules. At specific phases of the cell cycle, LZTS2 suppresses cell migration and establishes proper central spindle assembly for cytokinesis. Importantly, those biological effects are mediated by the inhibitory activity of LZTS2 on Katanin. LZTS2 binding to Katanin also plays a role in Katanin transport to the midbody to control proper abscission. Therapeutic applications of the interaction between LZTS2 and Katanin in tumor cells are a potential area for future research.     

Leucine Zipper Tumor Suppressor 2 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Regulates Lef/Tcf-dependent Transcription through Akt/GSK3β Signaling Pathway in Lung Cancer

Leucine zipper tumor suppressor 2 (LZTS2) is implicated in several cancers; however, its biological mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are not yet understood. We found that low levels of LZTS2 in NSCLC were correlated with tumor and nodal status. LZTS2 could inhibit cell proliferation and cell cycle transition at the G1/S phase and was implicated in the regulation of proteins associated with the canonical Wnt pathway, including GSK3β and β-catenin through inactivating the Akt pathway. These results provide novel mechanistic insight into the biological roles of LZTS2 in lung cancer cells.     

LZTS2 is a novel beta-catenin-interacting protein and regulates the nuclear export of beta-catenin

Beta-catenin plays multiple roles in cell-cell adhesion and Wnt signal transduction. Through the Wnt signal, the cellular level of beta-catenin is constitutively regulated by the multicomponent destruction complex containing glycogen synthase kinase 3beta, axin, and adenomatous polyposis coli. Here, we present multiple lines of evidence to demonstrate that LZTS2 (lucine zipper tumor suppressor 2) interacts with beta-catenin, represses the transactivation of beta-catenin, and affects the subcellular localization of beta-catenin. The LZTS2 gene is located at 10q24.3, which is frequently lost in a variety of human tumors. A functional nuclear export signal (NES) was identified in the C terminus of the protein (amino acids 631 to 641). Appending this motif to green fluorescent protein (GFP) induced nuclear exclusion of the GFP fusion protein. However, introducing point mutations in either one or two leucine residues of this NES sequence abolished the nuclear exclusion of the LZTS2 protein. The nuclear export of LZTS2 can be blocked by leptomycin B (LMB), an inhibitor of the CRM1/exportin-alpha pathway. Intriguingly, beta-catenin colocalizes with LZTS2 in the cytoplasm of cells in the absence of LMB but in the nuclei of cells in the presence of LMB. Increasing the LZTS2 protein in cells reduces the level of nuclear beta-catenin in SW480 cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that LZTS2 is a beta-catenin-interacting protein that can modulate beta-catenin signaling and localization.     

Long non-coding RNA Lnc-LALC facilitates colorectal cancer liver metastasis via epigenetically silencing LZTS1

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers around the world and endangers human health seriously. Liver metastasis is an important factor affecting the long-term prognosis of CRC and the specific mechanism of CRLM (colorectal cancer with liver metastasis) is not fully understood. LZTS1 has been found dysregulated in many cancers, especially in CRC. Theories suggested that hypermethylation of the promoter regions of LZTS1 was responsible for LZTS1 abnormal expression in multiple malignant tumors. Although the role of LZTS1 in CRC cell proliferation has been reported, its role in CRLM remains unclear. Numerous studies reported Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) could regulate the gene expression level by regulating gene methylation status in many tumors. However, whether there were lncRNAs could change the methylation status of LZTS1 or not in CRLM was unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there are lncRNAs can regulate the expression of LZTS1 through affecting DNA methylation in CRLM. We found that upregulated Lnc-LALC in CRC was negatively correlated with LZTS1 expression, and Lnc-LALC could regulate LZTS1 expression in both mRNA and protein level in our study. Functionally, Lnc-LALC enhanced the CRC cells metastasis ability in vitro and vivo through inhibiting the expression of LZTS1. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms exploration showed that lnc-LALC could recruit DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) to the LZTS1 promoter by combining with Enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2) and then altered the expression of LZTS1 via DNMTs-mediated DNA methylation. Collectively, our data demonstrated the important role of Lnc-LALC/ LZTS1 axis in CRLM development.Subject terms: Cancer metabolism, Gastrointestinal cancer     

Cytosine 5-Hydroxymethylation of the LZTS1 Gene Is Reduced in Breast Cancer

Change of DNA cytosine methylation (5mC) is an early event in the development of cancer, and the recent discovery of a 5-hydroxymethylated form (5hmC) of cytosine suggests a regulatory epigenetic role that might be different from 5-methylcytosine. Here, we aimed at elucidating the role of 5hmC in breast cancer. To interrogate the 5hmC levels of the leucine zipper, putative tumor suppressor 1 (LZTS1) gene in detail, we analyzed 75 primary breast cancer tissue samples from initial diagnosis and 12 normal breast tissue samples derived from healthy persons. Samples were subjected to 5hmC glucosyltransferase treatment followed by restriction digestion and segment-specific amplification of 11 polymerase chain reaction products. Nine of the 11 5′LZTS1 fragments showed significantly lower (fold change of 1.61–6.01, P < .05) 5hmC content in primary breast cancer tissue compared to normal breast tissue samples. No significant differences were observed for 5mC DNA methylation. Furthermore, both LZTS1 and TET1 mRNA expressions were significantly reduced in tumor samples (n = 75, P < .001, Student''s t test), which correlated significantly with 5hmC levels in samples. 5hmC levels in breast cancer tissues were associated with unfavorable histopathologic parameters such as lymph node involvement (P < .05, Student''s t test). A decrease of 5hmC levels of LZTS1, a classic tumor suppressor gene known to influence metastasis in breast cancer progression, is correlated to down-regulation of LZTS1 mRNA expression in breast cancer and might epigenetically enhance carcinogenesis. The study provides support for the novel hypothesis that suggests a strong influence of 5hmC on mRNA expression. Finally, one may also consider 5hmC as a new biomarker.